English clubs’ European struggles should worry Eddie Jones

The Premiership needs a little more self-analysis, a little less advertising. After a fortnight in which English clubs recorded two wins in 14 European Champions Cup games, the cheerleaders were quick to reel out excuses. The fixture list is set up for the Pro14 teams; it suits the Irish teams that beat their English counterparts in all six of their back-to-back games. That was one of the explanations being aired on Monday.

There had to be excuses. We are blinded by “the brand”, the wonderful “product”. Writers and broadcasters teeter between reportage and propaganda. We are good at selling our wares. Was it Edmund Burke or Napoleon who called us a nation of shopkeepers? Nobody can question the promotion of the Aviva Premiership goods.

Easier…

Want to read more?

Subscribe now and get unlimited digital access on web and our smartphone and tablet apps, free for your first month.